Wichita eagle., 1887-02-18
BY MARY 4. WHITE.

There were three of us-a fair girl 500
to be bride, little boy, four years old
and myself had never been to Texas
but having travelled good deal, I fel
equal TO any emergency pertaining to civl
lied life. We would get on well enough,
knew, as long rs we kept the cars; bu
there were eighty five miles to make by al
old fashioned stage coach before reachin!
our destination-Sa Angelo-in the beau
tiful Concho country.
Fort Choncho-a T. S. military post o
six regime+ts-is situated on high bluif
Just across the North Concho river. from
San Angelo. This fact, and the superio
quality Of the cattle and sheep raised on tn
table lands thereabout. and watered from
the numerous mountain streams through
out the country, had given the plac
quite boom; so that men o
wealth were focking there looking
for places TO invest their cash. Such al
opportunity was not lost on the knights
Of the road, the festive stage robber, anC
between the Colorado river and San An
gela-a stretch of thirtys six miles without
a human habitation-the stage had beer
robbed nearly every night for week be
fore our arrival. BY starting from home
one day before the letter informing me OF
this state Of things reached me, was ii
ignorance Of ii all. had been warned &c
90 by Colorado City and TO have my mon
ey put in checks before starting, but as
had not got the letter in time | failed tC
do so.
We landed at Abilene, Texas, on the
Texas Pacific railroad on the morning OF
April so, 1884. The Stage from San An
gels due there the previous evening, had
not come in at 8 o'clock a. III. The stage
contractor seemed uneasy, but gave
us no word of warning, say
ing he guessed the stage had been
delayed 10y the rising Of the Colorado river
lowing to heavy rains which had fallen in
that section the previous day. he took US
stage. After riding about ten miles over
the beautiful rolling prairie which was to
me strange revelation of the grand posi-
bilities of nature; we met the incoming
coach. The long, lean lank driver, whom
the contractor called Jack, said the Col
orado had been impossible all night, SO
that instead of resting off, as was his Gus
tom, be was compelled to drive back after
getting the mail bags over in skiif, and
must now drive back again, though he was
dying for sleep.
Then the two men talked in low tone
apart glancing around as though fearful
of being overheard, but rs this was nc
concern of mine gave it no attention al
the time. Jack, at length, climbed tC
his perch on high, and. with his
four in hand, popped his whip, and
away we went over the billowy
green prairies. drinking in the pure fresh
air, and thanking heaven that the earth
Was yet SO beautiful
The horses were fresh and fine if the
driver was jaded. and as we change horses
every fourteen miles, it was nothing but "A
jolly ride till we reached the dinner
house. =" Here the rain began to fall as we
descended from the coach. There being
no fire in the house, | went into The kitchen
to dry my feet. Our hostess, a large. com
Portable, talkative, motherly, northern
woman, who had come there Tor her hus-
bands health, was preparing dinner, and
of course asked where we were going
When told her to San Angelo she stood
aghast. Had not heard of the stage be
ing attacked and robbed and the three men
that had Leen killed, one on Tuesday night
and two last night.
Where were they killed. asked
Across the Colorado" she answered,
between there and Los Angeles
please tell me all about it," | asked.
Who did the killing and who got killed."
Davis, who drives the stage on the other
the other side Of the river killed two rob
bers on Tuesday night and two last night.
There is said TO be large band of them,
and they have robbed the passengers sew
eral times, but Davis armed himself and
shot the man who ordered him to halt on
Tuesday night. The next night they
came. more than ever. and it is a wonder
Davis was not killed. for they all shot at
him and the bullets whislled around his
head; but he popped his whip and then
fired among them. But they are certain to
XIII him now, as sure as he drives along
there. He cant always escape. l wouldn't
go with him if | were you"
Perhaps the robbers will be afraid IN
attack Davis any more. I'answered: "such
characters are never truly brave. in fact
are towards. "
1T does not look like it. the way
they are shooting at him every night. 1t
is mighty dangerous TO travel with him. |
tell ye"
After dinner spoke about turning back
10 my young friend-wiihout telling her
all the danger-but She laughed at the idea
and We went on.
We had twenty eight miles to travel he.
fore reaching the Colorado river. and if
was long past noon and sill raining, with
dark and angry clouds gathering in the
southwest, the direction in which we were
going.
We arrived at Runnels. a little town five